The father of footballing legend Paul Gascoigne has died after a battle with cancer at the age of 72, a spokesman for the footballer has said.

Former England and Boro star Gazza has yet to speak about the death yet himself, but his agent has confirmed the sad news, the Mirror reports.

A statement released on Friday said: “Paul’s dad passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning.

“Please give the family respect and let them grieve privately.

“Paul is in a strong place and sober and his dad is now in peace.”

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The ex-footballer is believed to have shared an “incredibly close” relationship with his dad, John, and was famously said to have sneaked out of a hotel before his full England debut to drink a pint with him.

John and his wife Carol, raised four children, including Gazza his second eldest, at their family home in Gateshead.

When he became a star, Gazza is reported to have bought his dad a house, a Merc and at one stage a £70,000 Rolls Royce.

John was forced to give up work in 2008 when he almost died from a brain haemorrhage.

This is the second tragedy to hit the family in a couple of years.

Gazza’s nephew Jay Kerrigan died in April 2016 from an overdose after battling mental illness.